Archdiocese, Institutions Fight Back on Birth Control Rule
Many area schools and a hospital would be affected by the new rule.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is gearing up for a fight against new federal rules requiring them to cover contraceptives for many church-affiliated employees. In a letter to congregants released Tuesday, Cardinal-designate Edwin O'Brien said the archdiocese "cannot—and will not—comply with this unjust law." "And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics ... must be prepared either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so)," O'Brien wrote. Under the new rules, announced last week by the Department of Health and Human Services, nearly all employers must offer access to birth control as part of all health insurance programs by Aug. 1. While churches …
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